Alabama

Junior Miss program set for Saturday in Bay Minette

BAY MINETTE, Alabama -- Twenty-two high school senior girls will compete Saturday to become Baldwin County’s Junior Miss for 2011. The program, set to the theme of "Picture Perfect," begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Faulkner State Community College Performing Arts Center in Bay Minette.

This year’s Baldwin winner will be the last to receive the Junior Miss title, as the national competition has adopted a new moniker — Distinguished Young Woman — and the state and county programs will take on that name in January.

The contestants will compete in scholastics, talent, self-expression, fitness and interview. Scholarships are awarded to winners in each category and those who make it to the top five receive additional scholarship funds.

Joni Wofford, program director, praised the girls for their devotion to the competition and for the skills they will be showcasing.

"We have been practicing for about seven, eight weeks and the girls have devoted a lot of time," Wofford said. "We do have some talented girls, you are going to be surprised, I think, about the amount of talent we have and it’s pretty well balanced with piano, instrumentalists, dance, voice and a dramatic monologue."

Wofford, who choreographed the show with Raina Macks, said the contestants will receive their questions for the self-expression category earlier in the day and will have a few hours to prepare and memorize their commentary. She said that makes for a more interesting response, without the assistance of family and friends.

"It helps them think on their feet and when they do interviews and public appearances, it will be easier for them," she said. "It showcases their thoughts more than those around them."

Scholarships are also awarded for top ad sales, top ticket sales, Spirit of Junior Miss and to the "Be Your Best Self" essay winner. The winner will advance to the state contest, with the chance to earn additional scholarships and represent Alabama at the national competition.

The doors open at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and the program begins at 6:30. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased from contestants or at the door.

The contestants, listed in alphabetical order, include the following.

Robertsdale High School senior Sarah Barnhill is a member of Mu Alpha Theta and serves as secretary of the Health Occupations Students of America. She participates in cheerleading, tennis and dance. As a member of Robertsdale United Methodist Church, she is a youth worship leader and a member of the church and youth praise band. She will perform a lyrical dance to "East to West."

Alexis Bertolla is a senior at Robertsdale High School, where she participates in varsity cheerleading and soccer and is a member of the Student Government Association and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She participates in competitive dance, co-ed stunt classes and tumbling classes, and she also teaches preschool dance classes. She is a member of the youth group at St. Patrick’s Church. She will perform a lyrical dance to "The House That Built Me."

Lindsay Brown is a senior at Daphne High School, where she is a member of the National Honor Society, Hi-Q, Environmental Club, Winter Guard and is flag captain of the Color Guard. She also participated in the Summer Scrubs program. She will perform a dance and flag routine to "Sway."

Baldwin County High School senior Hillary Burger is a member of the National Honor Society, a Model United Nations delegate, a member of Mu Alpha Theta, Key Club, French Club and Drama Club. She also serves as editor of the yearbook and is a Diamond Darling. She is a member of the Halls Fork Assembly of God Youth Program. She will perform a contemporary dance to "Hallelujah."

Angela Marie Cain is a senior at Baldwin County High School where she is a member of Key Club, National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. She serves as golf team captain, Scholars Bowl captain, Quarterback Club student manager and Spanish Club vice president. She has taken piano for 11 years and is a Model United Nations delegate and Girls State delegate. She will give a piano performance of "Sonatina 1959 1st Movement (Allegro giocoso)."

Qyuston "Jai" Cannon is a senior at Baldwin County High School where she is a member of the Key Club, Fashion Club, Art Club and is a varsity cheerleader and Spanish Club secretary. She prticipates in Cheer Force One Competitive Cheerleading and also serves as a Jubilee Church helper. She will dance to "Fame."

Fairhope High School senior Chelsea Collins is a member of Key Club, Art Club, Drama Club, Dead Poet’s Society and Girls Service Club. The Fit and Fun Days founder also participates in Jitterbug Children’s Theater and the Alabama Power Service Organization. She is a member of New Hopewell Baptist Church and participates in H20 Ministries in Fairhope. She will present a vocal performance of "Dream a Little Dream of Me."

Lauren Cotton, a Daphne High School senior, is a member of Girls Service Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Diamond Girls, dance team and Art Club. She is a member of Robinson’s School of Dance Company and participated in the Summer Scrubs program. She is a member of Providence United Methodist Church and the Daphne United Methodist Church youth. She will perform a jazz dance to "Defying Gravity."

Spanish Fort High school senior Lily Davis is a member of varsity soccer, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Project Outreach, the French National Honor Society, French Club, Beta Club and Girls Service Club. She will sing "Someone to Watch Over Me."

Baldwin County High School senior Eva Dunnam is a member of the Tigerette Dance Team, concert band, National Honor Society, French Club, soccer team, Key Club and Friends of Exceptional Students. A student of Southern Glitter School of Dance, she is a member of the Cross Roads Church of God E3 Leadership Team. She will perform a jazz dance to "Pray for Love."

Maring Eberlein is a senior at Fairhope High School where she is an International Baccalaureate Diploma candidate and is the Mu Alpha Theta president, Key Club vice president, a member of National Honor Society, the varsity swim team and the Drama Club. She is also an Eastern Shore Youth Leadership participant and president of her youth group. She will present a self-written monologue, "Check Your Facts."

Kathryn Kyndall Haywood is a senior at Fairhope High School where she is an International Baccalaureate Diploma candidate. She is the varsity soccer captain, Girls Service Club historian and a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Club and Student Council. She serves as an assistant counselor at Camp Beckwith and is a member of the Fairhope Methodist youth choir and the Tea Cup Girls Bible Study. She will sing "I Could Have Danced All Night."

Spanish Fort High School senior Sarah Hirschfeldt is a yearbook staff member, member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Girls Service Club historian and vice president, and a member of Project Outreach, National Honor Society, Key Club and Spanish Club. The Eastern Shore Dance Academy dancer is a member of the Spanish Fort United Methodist Church youth. She will dance to "Feelin’ Good."

Toni-Clair Hyde is a senior at Daphne High School where she is a member of the golf team, French Club and Art Club. She participates in piano, karate and singing. She will present a piano performance of "Rocktata."

Veronica Caitlin Jackson is a senior at Daphne High School where she is an International Baccalaureate Diploma candidate. She serves as the National Honor Society historian, Dance Team captain and Girls Service Club secretary and is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, Key Club and the golf team. She is a dancer with the Eastern Shore Youth Ballet, Baypointe Dance Academy and Eastern Shore Dance Academy. She will present a jazz dance to "Work."

Cheyenne Kinzer is a senior at Central Christian School. She is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is involved in volleyball and basketball. She is a member of Stapleton Baptist youth group and has participated in domestic mission work. She will sing "Upside Down."

St. Paul’s Episcopal School senior Regina "Ginny" Miller is a varsity cheerleader and member of the French Club, Interact Club, National Honor Society, Student Council and is a Student Government Association ambassador. She is a member of Jubilee Baptist Church and has participated with Shiloh Youth, vacation Bible school, missions and retreat. She will perform a jazz dance to "Cruella De Vil."

Robertsdale High School senior Annie Parker is a member of the marching band and concert band and participates in varsity soccer and cross country. She will present a flute solo of "Draw Me Close."

Taylor Prouty is a senior at Spanish Fort High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Future Business Leaders of America and the band. She is a Teen Library Council Ambassador and a member of the Ronald McDonald House Red Shoe Krewe. She is a member of the Eastern Shore "Re:verb" Youth and has participated in Costa Rica and Mexico missions. She will perform a flute solo of "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah."

Rebekah Ross is a senior at Daphne High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society, Girls Service Club president, varsity cheerleading captain, yearbook editor and Fellowship of Christian Athletes Leadership Team. She is a member of the Bay Community Youth Group, Eastern Shore Youth Ballet and Eastern Shore Youth Leadership. She will perform a lyrical dance to "Dream On."

Robertsdale High School senior Savannah Stewart is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Omega Tau Service Club, women’s ensemble and the marching band. She participates in ballet at KB Danz and is a Jubilee Church youth leader, JCKidz worship leader and is involved with worship and drama. She will present a vocal performance of "At Last."

Gulf Shores High School senior Kirby Webb is the National Honor Society president, varsity cheerleading captain and a member of Juniorettes, Friends of Exceptional Children, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Future Business Leaders of America, Technology Students Association, Leo Club and is a Student Government representative. She is a member of the Gulf Shores United Methodist Youth Leadership Team. She will present a piano solo of "Fur Elise."